Points of Interest
Spurwink Island Path
Lukasz Warzecha
Hike the Trail
Points of Interest
The East Coast Trail offers countless points of interest and attractions: towering cliffs and sea stacks; deep fjords; a natural geyser; abandoned historic settlements; archaeological digs; lighthouses; ecological reserves; seabird colonies, whales and caribou; icebergs; suspension bridges and more. Around every corner and each viewpoint has something unique to explore.
While all the highlights of the East Coast Trail are too many to list here, here’s a taste at some of the points of interest along the ECT:
Spout Path
Lukasz Warzecha
Located on Spout Path is The Spout, which is a wave-powered geyser. In 1995, ECTA volunteers rolled up their sleeves and removed a 3-ton rock that was covering the geyser.
Spout Path
@ronacuico
Located at the junction of Flamber Head Path and La Manche Village Path rests the La Manche Village Suspension Bridge, erected by ECTA in 2000.
La Manche Village Path
@_photosbyabdullah
La Manche was a historical fishing community, but in the 60s a winter storm demolished the bridge connecting the village. The new bridge sits there amongst the ruins of the original houses remaining foundations.
Cape Spear Path
Madeleine Florent
The Ancient Ones visit our shores in the spring, typically in May and June. Icebergs can be seen along the full length of the ECT, after making their way here from Greenland.
Stiles Path
The East Coast Trail is home to a variety of beautiful birds that grace our coastlines. Be sure to pack your binoculars!
Northern Gannet
NL Tourism
Northern Gannets, Atlantic Puffins, Bald Eagles, and more birds are visible along the East Coast Trail and add an exciting attraction for bird-lovers!
Biscan Cove Path
@dave_idp
Whoever said “don’t go chasing waterfalls,” clearly never hiked the East Coast Trail ; we can’t get enough of them!
Spurwink Island Path
At the junction of Caplin Bay Path and Sounding Hills Path lies the historic Town of Ferryland, which includes landmarks such as The Pools, The Colony of Avalon, and Ferryland Lighthouse.
The Pools
Calvin Tong
The Colony of Avalon is an active archeological dig site focusing on the 17th century Colony of Avalon, they also have a 17th century kitchen, museum, lab, and modern-day gift shop!
Ferryland Lighthouse
Calvin Tong
Speaking of lighthouses… you can’t have a coastal hiking trail without a few bright lights & fog horns along the way!
Spout Path Lighthouse
Perhaps of all the lighthouses along the ECT, the most famous are those found at Cape Spear National Historic Site. Visit and take a look into the lives of 19th century lighthouse keepers and their families.
Cape Spear Path
Eric Hanson
Cape Spear has two lighthouses – the oldest surviving lighthouse in our province, and the newer one still used today. Seasonal tours are offered, visit Parks Canada for more information.
Cobblers Path
Jantje VanHowelingen
I love rock & …more rocks!
Geology lovers unite, there are endless, amazing, unique geological wonders around every corner on the ECT.
Geology lovers unite, there are endless, amazing, unique geological wonders around every corner on the ECT.
Spurwink Island Path
@susansalignedlife
Newfoundland and Labrador is famous for our quaint fishing villages and our friendly people; so come on, we’ll put the kettle on.
Brigus Head Path
Julia Penney
The East Coast Trail is set up so that you finish your hike in a local community, giving hikers the opportunity to engage with historical and active fishing villages, and more.
Cape Spear has two lighthouses – the oldest surviving lighthouse in our province, and the newer one still used today. Seasonal tours are offered, visit Parks Canada for more information.
Mickeleens Path
Maria Bishop
There are also a few ecological reserves along the East Coast Trail, including Witless Bay Ecological Reserve home to 1/2 a million puffins and other seabirds.
Beaches Path
Spout Path
Lukasz Warzecha
Located on Spout Path is The Spout, which is a wave-powered geyser. In 1995, ECTA volunteers rolled up their sleeves and removed a 3-ton rock that was covering the geyser.
Located at the junction of Flamber Head Path and La Manche Village Path rests the La Manche Village Suspension Bridge, erected by ECTA in 2000.
La Manche Village Path
@_photosbyabdullah
La Manche was a historical fishing community, but in the 60s a winter storm demolished the bridge connecting the village. The new bridge sits there amongst the ruins of the original houses remaining foundations.
Cape Spear Path
Madeleine Florent
The Ancient Ones visit our shores in the spring, typically in May and June. Icebergs can be seen along the full length of the ECT, after making their way here from Greenland.
Stiles Path
The East Coast Trail is home to a variety of beautiful birds that grace our coastlines. Be sure to pack your binoculars!
Northern Gannet
NL Tourism
Northern Gannets, Atlantic Puffins, Bald Eagles, and more birds are visible along the East Coast Trail and add an exciting attraction for bird-lovers!
Biscan Cove Path
@dave_idp
Whoever said “don’t go chasing waterfalls,” clearly never hiked the East Coast Trail ; we can’t get enough of them!
At the junction of Caplin Bay Path and Sounding Hills Path lies the historic Town of Ferryland, which includes landmarks such as The Pools, The Colony of Avalon, and Ferryland Lighthouse.
The Pools
Calvin Tong
The Colony of Avalon is an active archeological dig site focusing on the 17th century Colony of Avalon, they also have a 17th century kitchen, museum, lab, and modern-day gift shop!
Speaking of lighthouses… you can’t have a coastal hiking trail without a few bright lights & fog horns along the way!
Spout Path Lighthouse
Perhaps of all the lighthouses along the ECT, the most famous are those found at Cape Spear National Historic Site. Visit and take a look into the lives of 19th century lighthouse keepers and their families.
Cape Spear Path
Eric Hanson
Cape Spear has two lighthouses – the oldest surviving lighthouse in our province, and the newer one still used today. Seasonal tours are offered, visit Parks Canada for more information.
I love rock & …more rocks!
Geology lovers unite, there are endless, amazing, unique geological wonders around every corner on the ECT.
Geology lovers unite, there are endless, amazing, unique geological wonders around every corner on the ECT.
Spurwink Island Path
@susansalignedlife
Brigus Head Path
Julia Penney
Newfoundland and Labrador is famous for our quaint fishing villages and our friendly people; so come on, we’ll put the kettle on.
The East Coast Trail is set up so that you finish your hike in a local community, giving hikers the opportunity to engage with historical and active fishing villages, and more.
Cape Spear has two lighthouses – the oldest surviving lighthouse in our province, and the newer one still used today. Seasonal tours are offered, visit Parks Canada for more information.
For points along a specific path, visit our Choose a Path page to learn more. If you would further assistance in planning your hiking trip, visit hike packages and tour operators.
Are you planning a thru-hike and interested in what to expect? Check out Juliana Dobbie, Jill Higgins, and Carlin Schieck’s 312 km (15 day) adventure along the trail June 2018. Read about their experience here:
Visit Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism for more information on attractions along the Trail.